Then Jesse called Abinadab ,.... His second son, 1 Samuel 17:13 . and made him pass before Samuel : that he might take a full view of him: and he said, neither hath the Lord chosen this ; which he knew by a private suggestion from him. read more
When they were come. I.e. to the house of Jesse, apparently in the interval between the sacrifice and the feast. The latter we learn in 1 Samuel 16:11 did not take place until after David had been sent for. But many hours would elapse between the sacrifice and the feast, as the victim had to be skinned and prepared for roasting, and finally cooked. This interval was spent in Jesse's house; and when he saw there Eliab, the first born, and observed his tall stature and handsome face,... read more
Human and Divine judgments contrasted. The facts are— 1 . Samuel, being impressed with the appearance of Eliab, concludes that he is the coming king. 2 . An intimation is given that Eliab is not the man, and the reason assigned for the imperfect judgment of Samuel is, that man looks on the outward appearance, but God on the heart. 3 . It being found that the other sons were not chosen of God, inquiry is made concerning the absent one. 4 . On the youngest being brought,... read more
1 Samuel 16:7-8. The Lord said unto Samuel By a secret inward suggestion. Look not on his countenance All have not a noble spirit who have a noble aspect, as appeared by Saul; which should have prevented Samuel’s concluding so hastily from Eliab’s appearance that he was the person whom God had chosen. Neither hath the Lord chosen this God suggested to him, as he did concerning the former that this was not the man of his choice. read more
16:1-19:24 THE RISE OF DAVIDDavid brought to the royal court (16:1-23)When told by God to go and anoint a king to replace Saul, Samuel feared to, lest Saul kill him. God therefore told Samuel to keep the matter secret (16:1-3). Reassured by this additional word from God, Samuel went to Bethlehem, where he met the leading men of the important families in that area (4-5).The outcome of Samuel’s visit was that he anointed David, youngest son of the family of Jesse. Anointing was a way of marking... read more
David’s anointing 16:1-13This time God’s choice was not a king for the people according to their desires, but a king for Himself (1 Samuel 16:1) who would put Yahweh first (1 Samuel 13:14; cf. Galatians 4:4-5). Saul would have perceived Samuel’s act of anointing another man king as treason (1 Samuel 16:2). He continued to show more concern for his own interests than for the will of God. Evidently Samuel had gained a reputation as an executioner since he had killed Agag (1 Samuel 16:4; cf. 1... read more
A. David’s Rise as the New Anointed 16:1-19:17According to Chuck Swindoll, more was written in the Bible about David than about any other character-66 chapters in the Old Testament plus 59 references to his life in the New Testament. [Note: Charles R. Swindoll, David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, p. 4.] This large amount of material reflects his great importance for Bible readers. read more
1. God’s selection of David for kingship ch. 16"One of the many indications that the two halves (1 Samuel 16:1-23) of chapter 16 are closely related is that each section is framed by an inclusio: ’Horn with/of oil’ is found in 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Samuel 16:13, and the phrase ’Spirit . . . departed from’ constitutes the first words of 1 Samuel 16:14 and the last words of 1 Samuel 16:23 . . ." [Note: Youngblood, p. 682.] read more
David is anointed King over IsraelFrom 1 Samuel 16 on, the interest centres in David rather than in Saul.1. Oil] probably consecrated oil for anointing. 2. If Saul hear it] Saul’s action, recorded in 1 Samuel 22:18-19, shows that Samuel’s fears were far from baseless. Say, I am come to sacrifice] Samuel was not asked to prevaricate. God relieved him of his difficulty by giving him a definite command. 4. Beth-lehem] originally Ephrath (Genesis 48:7), 5 m. S. of Jerusalem. Trembled] For Samuel... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:6-13
If the sons of Jesse were told that God would provide himself a king among them (as he had said, 1 Sam. 16:1), we may well suppose they all made the best appearance they could, and each hoped he should be the man; but here we are told, I. How all the elder sons, who stood fairest for the preferment, were passed by. 1. Eliab, the eldest, was privately presented first to Samuel, probably none being present but Jesse only, and Samuel thought he must needs be the man: Surely this is the Lord's... read more